On Monday, Oct. 2, Aldine ISD will kick off its second annual Unified Champion Basketball games across the district.
According to Julie Grutzmacher, the lead for the Adapted Physical Education Department and one of the event organizers, the Unified Champion Basketball games promotes inclusion, teamwork, and sportsmanship by bringing together students with and without disabilities to compete on the same team.
Grutzmacher said the games promote the following goals:
*Inclusion: By creating an inclusive environment where all students can participate in a competitive sport together, regardless of their abilities. *Promotes friendship: Fostering friendships and understanding between students with and without disabilities benefits both groups.
*Sportsmanship: Students are taught values such as fair play, respect, and teamwork. *Skill development: The games provide all participants with skill development and physical activity.
*Breaking stereotypes: Challenging and promoting awareness of the abilities and potential of individuals with disabilities.
*School spirit: The games enhance school spirit and a sense of belonging among all students.
Grutzmacher said this is AISD’s second year to partner with Unified Champions Sports. The first game will be on Monday, Oct. 2, between Nimitz High versus Davis High at 7:45 a.m. at Nimitz High School.
She said the goal this year is for all five high schools in Aldine ISD to compete against one another at least twice during the 2023-24 school year.
“Unified Champion Sports benefits our special education population along with our general education students,” Grutzmacher said. “It decreases the assumption that students with disabilities aren’t able to compete in competitive sports. The benefit is that friendship and acceptance develop. There is an understanding between students with and without disabilities, and it provides an opportunity for skill development and physical activity for all participants. This Unified event is an opportunity for our students with disabilities to have the opportunity to shine and have the spotlight while working alongside general education students as actual teammates. Unified Champions schools also engage the school community, parents, and local community in supporting inclusive sports.”
Liz Durden and Hugo Maese will coach the Aldine High team. The school’s structured learning teachers and Principal Lulu De- Anda also support the team. The Davis High team is coached by Chris Welday-Zimney, Andrea Gipson, Miranda Grotenhuis, and Taylor Green and supported by the school’s structured learning teachers, Principal Anthony Watkins and Assistant Principal Laah Buie. The Eisenhower High team is coached by Jessica Corrick and Krystal Washington and supported by the school’s structured learning teachers and Principal James Metcalf. The MacArthur High School team is coached by Larissa Coulter and Kelli Hodgkinson and supported by the school’s structured learning teachers and Principal Shauna Showers. The Nimitz High team is coached by Grutzmacher, Kendra Venzant, and Ben Wells and supported by the structured learning teachers and Principal Walter Stewart.
Other support for the program has come from Dr. Tracey Bailey, executive director of special education; Tommie Elmore, program manager of related services and the manager of the Mendel Heritage Museum; and Kenneth Hernandez, coordinator of health and physical education. AJ Edenzon, executive director of United Champion Schools, and Holly Chandler, the USC specialist for Special Olympics for East Region Ares 5 and 6, have also come to support.